Sports Fiesta Dominates the Field Photos by Douglas Grossman
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or more than 40 years, hundreds of athletes have congregated on the beaches of Southern California, where the Optimist Club of Coronado has tested their skill, strength and speed on sand, street and sea. The Club’s Sports Fiesta offers competitions for youth and adults in running, swimming and volleyball. Its signature competition is the triathlon, the longestrunning in the world, challenges athletes in swimming, biking and running in one single race. The Sports Fiesta is both venerable and groundbreaking. The event’s 1975 triathlon served as a prototype for the Iron Man triathlon, which has grown into one of the premier endurance athletic events in the world. Winners receive prizes, but the event also serves as the Club’s major fundraiser. The Club distributes proceeds from the event to more than 50 youth-related organizations and causes in their community.
Volunteers from the Optimist Club of Coronado supervise the event’s swimming portion.
10 • Optimist
The event’s 1975 triathlon served as a prototype for the Iron Man triathlon, which has grown into one of the premier endurance athletic events in the world.
